Beer makes men smarter: And there’s a study to prove it!

According to a study done by the University of Illinois in Chicago, Beer makes men smarter. Duh! we already knew that because we drink beer, glad to see those in Academia catching up. Researchers found that men who had downed a couple of pints were actually better at solving brain-teasers than men who had not had anything to drink.

40 men participated in a bar game contest. The men were given three words and told to come up with a fourth word that fits the pattern of the other three words. Men who had been given two pints solved the problems in 12 seconds and those who where sober 15.5 seconds. Our pint hoisting brothers also solved up to 40% more problems over the other guys.

Typically people believe that alcohol hinders analytical thinking and muddies the mind.

“We have this assumption, that being able to focus on one part of a problem or having a lot of expertise is better for problem solving,” said Psychologist Jennifer Wiley. “But that’s not necessarily true. Innovation may happen when people are not so focused. Sometimes it’s good to be distracted.”

This could actually explain why heavy drinkers like Ernest Hemingway, Dick Van Dike or Eddy Van Halen were able to be so creative.

“Sometimes the really creative stuff comes out when you’re having a glass of wine over dinner, or when you’re taking a shower,” Wiley said.

The more the merrier

Want to get the best and most creative solution. Get 2 of your buddy’s and some beer, according to a recent study this is a winning combo.

Researchers also found that men are more likely to solve a problem when working in groups of three rather than two.

“In groups of two, we tend to be more polite, not to confront or ask questions,” Wiley said. “But when you respond to a question in a group of three, you’re not confronting, you’re speaking up for the whole group.”

So the next time you are facing a problem, invite two of your buddy’s over to have a couple of Founders KBS pints, you will not only enjoy one of the best beers around but you will probably come up with some really creative ideas and you will have a great time doing it.